Hüseyin Levent Keskin

Pethidine versus tramadol for pain relief during labor

Objective: To evaluate and compare the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of tramadol and pethidine in labor. Method: Fifty‐nine full term parturients were randomly assigned to one of two groups in active labor. Group 1 received 100 mg pethidine; group 2, 100 mg tramadol, intramuscularly. Analgesic efficacy, maternal side effects, changes in the blood pressure, heart rate, and duration of labor were assessed. Result: At 30 and 60 min after drug administration, pain relief was greater in the pethidine group than in tramadol group. The incidence of nausea and fatigue was higher in the tramadol group. Following drug administration the decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the increase in heart rate were statistically significant in both groups. No significant difference was found between the groups when compared for duration of labor and Apgar scores. None of the neonates developed respiratory depression. Conclusion: Pethidine seems to be a better alternative than tramadol in obstetric analgesia because of its superiority in analgesic efficacy and low incidence of maternal side effects.

Effect of maternal obesity and weight gain on gestational diabetes mellitus

The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and maternal obesity and weight gain during pregnancy. A prospective cohort study screened 614 consecutive gravid patients for GDM using 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT). The pregnant women were divided into 4 groups according to their prepregnancy body mass index (BMI). Group I, II, III and IV constituted when the BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (n = 16), 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 (n = 455), 25–29.9 kg/m2 (n = 122), and >30 kg/m2 (n = 21) respectively. All the pregnant women were also evaluated in terms of their weight gain during pregnancy and these cases were recruited in 3 groups as low, ideal and high weight gain groups. Overall, a positive 50 g GCT result was identified in 106/614 (17.8%) women. GDM was further diagnosed in 12/614 (1.95%) of subjects. The prevalence of GDM in Group II, III and IV was 1.31%, 3.28% and 9.52% respectively (p < 0.05). The cases of Group II in first and second trimester and Group III only in second trimester showed statistically significant positive results of 50 g GCT when they had excess weight gain compared to the ones whose weight gain were in normal range. Women planning pregnancy should be educated about the disadvantages of obesity, being over-weight and should be advised to have an ideal prepregnancy BMI and ideal weight gain during pregnancy.

The aromatase inhibitor letrozole reduces adhesion formation after intraperitoneal surgery in a rat uterine horn model

OBJECTIVE To investigate, in an experimental animal study, the effects of letrozole and tamoxifen in the reduction of adhesion formation following abdominopelvic surgery. STUDY DESIGN Thirty female Wistar albino rats were included and divided into three groups. One group received 500 μg/d tamoxifen and a second group received 1 mg/kg/d letrozole through an enteric tube. A third group did not receive any drugs and served as the control group. On the fifth day, a laparotomy was performed and the right uterine horn was injured by monopolar cautery. The left uterine horn was incised with a scalpel and sutured. The preventive therapy protocols were continued for 7 days after surgery. On the 14th day after first surgery the animals were sacrificed, and the intraperitoneal macroscopic adhesion formation and microscopic adhesion features were evaluated. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the scores of the macroscopic adhesion scores and histologic features among the three groups, followed by a post hoc Mann-Whitney test. The total histological score was analyzed with a one-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc Bonferroni correction tests. p values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. The level of significance was set at p≤0.016 for the post hoc tests. RESULTS The letrozole and tamoxifen groups had significantly lower adhesion scores for the right uterine horn than the control group (p=0.005 and p=0.013, respectively). For the left horn, however, only the letrozole group had a lower macroscopic adhesion score than the controls (p=0.011). The total histological score was significantly lower in the letrozole group than in the control group (p=0.014), but no differences were found between the tamoxifen group and the control group (p=0.954). Inflammation, fibroblastic activity, collagen formation and vascular proliferation were significantly lower in the letrozole group compared with the control group (p<0.05). The foreign body reactions were similar among the three groups (p>0.05). Tamoxifen administration did not result in any significant effects on the histological scores (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Letrozole resulted in a significant decrease in postoperative macroscopic adhesion formation and the total histological scores, but tamoxifen did not demonstrate a similar effect on the histological scores.

Maternal plasma total antioxidant status in preterm labor

Aim:  To investigate the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in preterm labor.

A large primary vaginal calculus in a woman with paraplegia.

Objective The study aimed to report a primary vaginal stone, an extremely rare entity, without vesicovaginal fistula in a woman with disability. Case We describe the case of a large primary vaginal calculus in a 22-year-old woman with paraplegia, which, surprisingly, was not diagnosed until she was examined under general anesthesia during a preparation for laparoscopy for an adnexal mass. The stone had not been identified by physical examination with the patient in a recumbent position or by transabdominal ultrasonography and pelvic tomography during the preoperative preparation. Vaginoscopy was not performed because the vagina was completely filled with the mass. As a result of its size and hard consistency, a right-sided episiotomy was performed and a 136-g stone was removed using ring forceps. A vesicovaginal fistula was excluded. There was no evidence of a foreign body or other nidus on the cut section of the stone, and it was determined to be composed of 100% struvite (ammonium magnesium phosphate). Culture of urine obtained via catheter showed Escherichia coli. After the surgical removal of the calculus without complications, a program of intermittent catheterization was started. The follow-up period was uneventful, and the patient was symptom free at 6 months after the operation. Conclusions We postulate that the calculus formed as a consequence of urinary contamination of the vagina in association with incontinence and prolonged maintenance in a recumbent posture. This report is important because it highlights that, although vaginal stones are very rare, their possibility should be considered in the differential diagnosis of individuals with long-term paraplegia.

Factors affecting pregnancy weight gain and relationships with maternal/fetal outcomes in Turkey

Objectives: To determine the effects of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain on maternal and fetal complications, and to examine whether Turkish women achieve the recommended gestational weight gain. We also investigated the relationship between pregnancy weight gain and mode of delivery, with an examination of maternal anthropometry. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of 986 pregnant women between November 2011 and November 2015 at Atatürk Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Maternal age, BMI, monthly weight gain during pregnancy, infant birth weight, gender, and maternal and fetal adverse outcomes were evaluated. Results: The frequency of maternal complications was positively associated with elevated pre-pregnancy BMI (p<0.05), and weight gain during pregnancy was associated with parity and increased infant birth weight (p<0.05). However, no correlations were observed between mean pregnancy weight gain and maternal complications (p>0.05). The percentage of women who gained the Institute of Medicine (IOM)-recommended amount of weight was the highest in the underweight BMI group (54.1%) and the lowest in the obese BMI group (24.3%). Pregnancy weight gain exceeded IOM recommendations in the overweight (56.3%) and obese (52.5%) groups. Conclusions: While maternal weight gain during pregnancy affects neonatal body weight, higher pre-pregnancy BMI has an adverse effect on recommended weight gain during pregnancy, with increased maternal complications.

The relationship between first-trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A levels and intrapartum fetal distress development.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between the development of intrapartum fetal distress and serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) levels measured during first-trimester aneuploidy screening tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study included 283 uncomplicated pregnancies that resulted in full-term live births via spontaneous labor or with the induction by oxytocin. Cases were divided into two groups based on whether their first-trimester PAPP-A multiple of the median (MoM) levels were ≤0.5 (Group 1, n=75) or >0.5 (Group 2, n=208). As primary end points, the rate of cesarean section (C/S), the rate of C/S due to fetal distress, and the umbilical artery blood pH values in cases of C/S for fetal distress were compared between the two groups. Statistical analyses were performed using the Chi-square test and independent samples t-test. P≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS The mean gestational age at birth and the birth weights were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p=0.002 and p=0.007, respectively). Although the rate of C/S was similar between the groups (p=0.823), the rate of C/S due to fetal distress was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (68.4% vs. 42%, respectively; p=0.050) and the mean umbilical artery blood pH value for C/S deliveries indicated by fetal distress was lower (p=0.048) in Group 1 than in Group 2. When the mode of delivery was analyzed according to the application of labor induction, both the C/S delivery rates (31.6% in Group 1 and 31.7% in Group 2; p=0.992) and C/S delivery rates due to fetal distress (66.7% in Group 1 and 46.2% in Group 2; p=0.405) were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION Low PAPP-A levels (≤0.5 MoM) in the first trimester are associated with the risk of intrapartum fetal distress development and the likelihood of C/S for fetal distress. Nonetheless, this risk is not affected by labor induction.

Effects of intravaginally inserted controlled-release dinoprostone and oxytocin for labor induction on umbilical cord blood gas parameters.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of oxytocin and dinoprostone used in labor induction on fetal blood gas parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective randomized trial involved 108 women who completed 37 gestational weeks and who required labor induction prior to normal vaginal birth. Labor was induced in 57 women with an intravenous low dose oxytocin regimen and in 51 with intravaginal dinoprostone (PGE2). Following childbirth, umbilical artery blood gas was analyzed, with pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3 and base excess (BE) compared in the two groups. RESULTS Mean age and obstetrical data (gravidity, parity, gestational weeks and birthweight) were similar in the two groups (p>0.05). All infants had 1 and 5 minute APGAR scores ≥7. Umbilical artery blood pH was similar in the oxytocin and dinoprostone groups (7.31±0.07 vs. 7.31±0.05, p=0.780), as were the other blood gas parameters (pCO2, pO2, base excess and HCO3; p>0.05 each). CONCLUSION Induction of labor with either oxytocin or dinoprostone in women with uncomplicated term pregnancies had no adverse effects on umbilical artery blood gas parameters.

Thyroid Dysfunction Does Not Affect the Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

Aim: To investigate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and thyroid dysfunction in postmenopausal women. Material and Method: A total of 261 postmenopausal women, who were examined between 2006 and 2008, were included in this prospective cohort study. Levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3 (triiodothyronine), free T4 (tiroxin), and thyroid antibodies (anti-thyroglobulin antibody -antiTG Ab; anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody - antiTPO Ab) were measured in all subjects. The subjects were classified into four groups: hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis, and euthyroid(control). Bone mineral densities (BMDs) from the lumbar 1–4 (L 1–4) vertebrae and the femoral neck regions of interest were measured using the dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method and used to yield T-score values which were compared between groups. Results: The mean L1 – 4 T-score was 1.26 ± 1.25 in 56 cases (21.5%) with hypothyroidism ; -1.46 ± 1.36 in 42 (16.1%) cases with hyperthyroidism and -1.51 ± 1.22 in 37 cases (14.2%) with autoimmune thyroiditis . The mean L1 – 4 T-score of the control group that consisted of 126 (48.3%) cases was -1.28 ± 1.20. The mean femoral neck T-score was -0.31 ±1.15 in hypothyroid group; -0.80 ±1.41 in hyperthyroid group and -0.60 ±1.19 in cases with autoimmune thyroiditis . The mean femoral neck T-score of the control group was -0.55 ±1.08. When the T-scores of the entire L1 – 4 region and those of the femoral neck were compared, the values were not significantly different between the four patient groups (p = 0.680 and p = 0.258, respectively). Discussion: The present study indicated that thyroid dysfunction does not significantly affect BMD in postmenopausal women with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or autoimmune thyroiditis. This result suggests that thyroid dysfunctions do not have a significant role in the development of osteoporosis during the postmenopausal period, perhaps because there may be other mechanisms at work that blunt or mask the effects of thyroid hormones.